A new funding instrument for interdisciplinary research at TUM has now been launched, the TUM Innovation Networks. With the new Innovation Networks, TUM aims to create even more scope for scientific creativity and groundbreaking developments. The goal is to open up future areas of interest for TUM. To this end, transdisciplinary topics with up to 10 principal investigators from a wide range of disciplines with 10 doctoral students / postdocs will be funded for four years. Each network is funded with a total of 2.2 million euros from funds of the Excellence Strategy.
Initially 32 proposals were submitted. Eight of those condensed in six two days Exploratory Workshops at the TUM Institute for Advanced Study with the involvement of TUM-IAS Fellows and external mentors. The six finalized project outlines were evaluated, three are now receiving funding.
They address the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of mental health using sensor technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), the development of novel materials using machine learning, and the exploration of life combining AI and robotics with chemical and biophysical experiments:
- Neurotechnology for Mental Health (NEUROTECH).
- Artificial Intelligence powered Multifunctional Material Design (ARTEMIS).
- Robot Intelligence in the Synthesis of Life (RISE).
Michael Molls, Scientific Director of TUM-IAS, said:
"The Innovation Networks embody the guiding principle of our IAS, namely Risking Creativity. With the new funding instrument of the Innovation Networks and with the participation of the IAS, we carry this idea in its breadth into the transdisciplinarity of our university and create potential for new research areas."
All PhD students of a TUM Innovation Network are members of the International Graduate School of Science and Engineering (IGSSE) of TUM, go through the coordinated qualification program of IGSSE and are supervised by two Principle Investigators each.
For more information see here.